Bucksport Water Company

EWG's drinking water quality report shows
results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, as well as
information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility Details

Conway, South Carolina

Serves: 15,355

Data available: 2012—2017

Source: Groundwater

Contaminants Detected

9

EXCEEDEWG HEALTHGUIDELINES

14 Total Contaminants

Legal does not necessarily equal safe. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.

Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.

The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.

Bromodichloromethane

Bromodichloromethane

Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Bromodichloromethane was found at 223 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

13.4 ppb

National Average

5.8 ppb

State Average

6.67 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.

Filtering Options

Bromoform

Bromoform

Bromoform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromoform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Bromoform was found at 17 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.5 ppb or less

This Utility

8.34 ppb

National Average

1.41 ppb

State Average

0.927 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.5 ppb for bromoform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.

Filtering Options

Chloroform

Chloroform

Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.

Chloroform was found at 39 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.4 ppb or less

This Utility

15.6 ppb

National Average

15.1 ppb

State Average

17.5 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.

Dibromoacetic acid

Dibromoacetic acid

Dibromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Dibromoacetic acid was found at 76 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.04 ppb or less

This Utility

3.04 ppb

National Average

1.17 ppb

State Average

1.03 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.04 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a on-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Dibromochloromethane

Dibromochloromethane

Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Dibromochloromethane was found at 143 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

14.3 ppb

National Average

3.41 ppb

State Average

3 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.

Dichloroacetic acid

Dichloroacetic acid

Dichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Dichloroacetic acid was found at 33 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.2 ppb or less

This Utility

6.7 ppb

National Average

7.82 ppb

State Average

11.6 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.2 ppb for dichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) was found at 319 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

31.9 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

17.2 ppb

State Average

21.9 ppb

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a on-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) was found at 344 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

51.7 ppb

Legal Limit

80 ppb

National Average

30.1 ppb

State Average

28 ppb

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.

Trichloroacetic acid

Trichloroacetic acid

Trichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

Trichloroacetic acid was found at 62 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

6.18 ppb

National Average

6.42 ppb

State Average

7.85 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for trichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.

Pollution Sources

Filtering Options

Molybdenum

Molybdenum

Molybdenum is a metal that occurs naturally in soil, minerals and water. People who ingest large amounts can have increased levels of uric acid and gout-like symptoms.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

40 ppb or less

This Utility

5.26 ppb

National Average

1.52 ppb

State Average

0.303 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2012-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 40 ppb for molybdenum was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against metabolic changes and excess formation of uric acid in the blood.

Filtering Options

Monobromoacetic acid

Monobromoacetic acid

Monobromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

25 ppb or less

This Utility

15.9 ppb

National Average

0.239 ppb

State Average

1.35 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 25 ppb for monobromoacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.. This health guideline protects against muscular degeneration.

Pollution Sources

Filtering Options

Nitrate

Nitrate

Nitrate, a fertilizer chemical, frequently contaminates drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff, and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Excessive nitrate in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. Click here to read more about nitrate.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

0.14 ppm or less

This Utility

0.0116 ppm

Legal Limit

10 ppm

National Average

0.937 ppm

State Average

0.263 ppm

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2015-2017. ppm = parts per million

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.14 ppm for nitrate was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.

Filtering Options

Strontium

Strontium

Strontium is a metal that accumulates in the bones. Radioactive strontium-90 can cause bone cancer and leukemia, and any form of strontium at high doses can harm bone health.

How your levels compare

EWG Health Guideline

1,500 ppb or less

This Utility

61.4 ppb

National Average

303.2 ppb

State Average

44.3 ppb

NO LEGAL LIMIT

The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2012-2017. ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1,500 ppb for strontium was defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a benchmark for testing under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule program. This health guideline protects against harm to bones.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Includes chemicals detected in 2015-2017 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) program in 2013 to 2015 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.

Other Contaminants Tested

✕

Contaminants detected between 2012 and 2014 and were not part of EPA's UCMR-3 testing program or radiologicals:

Take Action

Contact Your Local Official

One of the best ways to push for cleaner water is to hold accountable the elected officials who have a say in water quality – from city hall and the state legislature to Congress all the way to the Oval Office – by asking questions and demanding answers.